Sowing division, spreading malicious rumors, or causing civil unrest within the community.
Today, this is visible in the rise of "progressive Islam" that attempts to justify the forbidden via linguistic gymnastics, or in the confusion caused by social media where unqualified individuals issue religious edicts (fatwas). The sheer volume of contradictory information creates a fog of doubt ( shubuhat ).
What does this mean? In normal times, prayer and fasting are done out of habit. In times of fitnah, holding onto a single sunnah (prophetic practice) takes the reward of 50 or 70 acts of worship in normal times. Every prayer prayed on time, every glance lowered, every morsel of halal food sought against the tide of haram is a heroic act. al fitan
"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient." (Quran 2:155)
The Prophet ﷺ described periods of Fitnah “like pieces of a dark night” (Muslim)—a person may be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever by evening. Among the signs: What does this mean
In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised his companions: "When you see fitnah (trial), then flee to Allah, and seek His help, and perform prayer, and give charity. And verily, the fitnah will be stopped by the praying and charity." (Sahih Muslim)
In the face of Al Fitan, Muslims can employ several strategies to cope with the challenges: Every prayer prayed on time, every glance lowered,
In a famous hadith about the Harj (mass killing), the Prophet said: "Be a slave of Allah who is killed, not one who kills." He advised isolation if necessary. In times where every faction is corrupt and fighting, the believer is advised to withdraw, protect their tongue, their hand, and their heart, and occupy themselves with prayer. As the Prophet said: "Whoever presents his cheek to be struck, his back to be slapped, but he does not fight them... he is a martyr."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: "The believer who is most patient will be the one who is most rewarded." (Sahih Ibn Majah)